Walt Disney Establishes New Unit to Drive AI and Augmented Reality Initiatives
Walt Disney establishes Office of Technology Enablement to drive AI and mixed reality initiatives. Jamie Voris appointed to lead the new unit, focusing on the profound impact of AI and XR technologies. Disney strategically enhancing expertise in augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality applications.
The newly established Office of Technology Enablement, to be headed by Jamie Voris, the film studio's chief technology officer, will play a pivotal role in exploring the potential applications of these emerging technologies within Disney's entertainment empire.
According to an email seen by Reuters, Eddie Drake will succeed Voris as the studio's CTO, highlighting the company's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman expressed the profound impact that AI and extended reality (XR) are expected to have on consumer experiences and creative projects, emphasising the importance of Disney's proactive approach in seizing opportunities and managing risks in this rapidly evolving landscape.
The newly formed unit will concentrate on the dynamic realms of AI and mixed reality, which seamlessly blend the physical and digital worlds. Rather than centralising all projects, the Office of Technology Enablement will ensure that various initiatives align with Disney's overarching strategy. With Voris reporting directly to Bergman, the team is set to expand from its core leadership group to approximately 100 employees, as confirmed by a source familiar with the matter.
Disney's strategic move to delve deeper into AI and mixed reality technologies comes as various divisions within the company explore the potential applications of augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality. The company has been strategically enhancing its expertise to leverage these emerging technologies effectively. For instance, Kyle Laughlin, a seasoned Disney professional specialising in augmented and virtual reality as well as AI, rejoined the company in March as the senior vice president of research and development for Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative arm behind Disney's theme park attractions.
While Meta and Snap have introduced new lightweight glasses offering consumers a stylish alternative to bulky VR headsets, Disney has been discreetly assembling a team to harness this technology for creating innovative experiences at its theme parks and in consumers' homes. Tech giants have collectively sold around 1.7 million AR/VR headsets this year, with Meta leading the market with a 60.5% share, facing increasing competition from players like Sony, Apple, and ByteDance. Google has also hinted at a potential re-entry into the AR/VR market, signalling a growing interest in this space.
Walt Disney establishes Office of Technology Enablement to drive AI and mixed reality initiatives
Jamie Voris appointed to lead the new unit, focusing on the profound impact of AI and XR technologies
Disney strategically enhancing expertise in augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality applications
Source: REUTERS